The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-08-25
STEALING CUTTINGS.
Adventures OF m Enter prising California
NurserYmAn In SmYrna.

Adventures OF an Enter prfsing California
Nurseryman In Smyrna.
The latter part of April c. W. West,
of the Fancher Greek nursery, returned
from a years trip to Europe and Asia
Minor. which was made for the pur-
pose of securing the most valuable
trees and plants of the fruit-growiDg
sactions of the old world, and also to
acquire information concerning the
methods of planting, cultivation, cur
ing and packing fruits in vogue there
Mr.. Vests trip was remarkably sue
cessfuL He not only carefully studied
the European methods of horticulture
AID Vine-growing. and thereby gained
much useful knowledge. but he sue
ceeded in securing more valuable vari-
eties Of trees than he had supposed
would be possible, among them being
cuttings of the true Smyrna fig. Mr..
West first visited his former home at
Brighton, England. He inspected the
principal nurseries there and made
quite an extensive collection new to
California Thence he went to the
island of Malta and made large col
lection of plants and seeds The eli
mate of this island is very similar to
that of California. From this place he
went to Egypt. At Alexandria several
varieties of dates, etc, were secured.
From Cairo and other points
of interest Il Egypt, Mr.. West
went to Smyrna, where over
three months were spent in active
investigation Of the horticulture of that
marvellous fruitful land. Upon his
first trip into the interior the celebrated
figs of Smyrna were just beginning to
ripen. A number of the principal fig
growing districts were visited and a
thorough examination made of the
method of cultivation and manner of
handling the crops. The olive orchards
also came in for share of attention.
After a two weeks sOjourn in the cOun-
try Mr.. West returned to Smyrna
and spent about seven weeks in the
packing-house. studying the methods
employed in packing fruits for market.
During his first trip in the interior he
had carefully marked the fruit-laden
trees from which he wished to secure
cuttings, and returning in November
he took from trees previously marked
1000 cuttings of the Smyrna fig OF
commerce, grown in the Erbelie dis
trict; anu also about 5000 wild or male
figs, and 5000 of choice varieties of
table figs. On this trip the curing and
packing of Sultana raisins. then in
progress, was carefully studied. AS
soon as the authorities discovered that
the object of Mr.. West was to secure
cuttings of the fig of commerce, they
issued printed orders that no cuttings
from this fig should be permitted to
cross the borders of the country. But
Mr.. West was not TO be thwarted in the
principal object of his trip by official
orders. and hastily packing his cuttings
in sacks lie snu. ;;s,ieI them on board
ship in tie night-tIme and there packed
them for shipment. 1t was bold
move and met with complete success.
This enterprise is by no means a small
one to be undertaken and carried out
by one nursery. Something of the ex-
tent of its cost may be judged from the
fact that the cuttings of the Smyrna fig
alone cost over $500. exclusive of bribes
and presents to those who assisted i'll
procuring them.-Fresno (Cal.J Repu0-
lean.